Hammers fan Ray Winstone has his say on who the Club should be looking at in the transfer window
Hammers fan Ray Winstone wants to see Slaven Bilic’s side continue to add to their British core by bringing through players from their famed Academy of Football while also exploring other options during the transfer window.
Last season saw the emergence of hot prospect Reece Oxford, while a number of other youngsters were also part of first team squads and Reece Burke was Bradford City’s Player of the Season while on loan with fellow Hammer Josh Cullen.
And though Winstone believes the Club can find value for money in the transfer market this summer, he reiterated the importance of a solid spine to the team.
“All the teams who don’t seem to have longevity haven’t got a backbone and they haven’t got British players there and they don’t seem to last too long,” the actor said.
“Chelsea, when they had just that with the spine of their team being very British, stayed there and won things and there was a bit more belief in the side, so I’d like to see our youth system come through more than buy players.
“Up front I suppose another centre-forward would be great, so you’d love to buy [Jamie] Vardy, but Leicester fans won’t thank me for that. And he has [the Champions League] beckoning, so let’s develop one ourselves. I’m sure we must have kids in the youth system.”
West Ham ended their Premier League campaign in seventh – their highest finish for 14 years – but will look to add to their squad this summer ahead of a campaign which will see European football arrive at the new Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
And like many supporters, Winstone has been assessing the market and who might be on offer for the Hammers.
“I’d like to mix it up a bit, so who would you buy? Who would you get? We’re talking about looking for a forward and we’ve got £20 or £30 million. Of course, you’d love to see someone like Vardy come in.
“[I would strengthen] in defence, and although I like Collins and Tomkins at the back, when we were there with Reid, we looked mighty strong. Collins is a bit of a leader and we’ve always looked a bit better in midfield when he’s there, for some reason.
“In midfield, I love Marky Noble, and he’s got better every year. But I’d love to see some of the kids come through from the youth system a bit more, like Reece Oxford, who is a good player and I’d like to see that happen.”
Last season saw the emergence of hot prospect Reece Oxford, while a number of other youngsters were also part of first team squads and Reece Burke was Bradford City’s Player of the Season while on loan with fellow Hammer Josh Cullen.
And though Winstone believes the Club can find value for money in the transfer market this summer, he reiterated the importance of a solid spine to the team.
“All the teams who don’t seem to have longevity haven’t got a backbone and they haven’t got British players there and they don’t seem to last too long,” the actor said.
“Chelsea, when they had just that with the spine of their team being very British, stayed there and won things and there was a bit more belief in the side, so I’d like to see our youth system come through more than buy players.
“Up front I suppose another centre-forward would be great, so you’d love to buy [Jamie] Vardy, but Leicester fans won’t thank me for that. And he has [the Champions League] beckoning, so let’s develop one ourselves. I’m sure we must have kids in the youth system.”
West Ham ended their Premier League campaign in seventh – their highest finish for 14 years – but will look to add to their squad this summer ahead of a campaign which will see European football arrive at the new Stadium on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
And like many supporters, Winstone has been assessing the market and who might be on offer for the Hammers.
“I’d like to mix it up a bit, so who would you buy? Who would you get? We’re talking about looking for a forward and we’ve got £20 or £30 million. Of course, you’d love to see someone like Vardy come in.
“[I would strengthen] in defence, and although I like Collins and Tomkins at the back, when we were there with Reid, we looked mighty strong. Collins is a bit of a leader and we’ve always looked a bit better in midfield when he’s there, for some reason.
“In midfield, I love Marky Noble, and he’s got better every year. But I’d love to see some of the kids come through from the youth system a bit more, like Reece Oxford, who is a good player and I’d like to see that happen.”